Michigan Senator attempts to legalize social wagering contests with SB 511
Senator Veronica Klinefelt proposed the legislation in the hopes of amending the state’s Penal Code to authorize social wagering contests such as betting pools and sports squares.
Key Points
- SB 511 would also allow for social wagering pools or contests with a maximum of 100 participants and individual wagers of up to $25 if approved by the state
- Transactions completed at land-based sportsbooks and other gambling establishments would be prohibited, however, as SB 511 continues to gain support from lawmakers
Michigan Senator Veronica Klinefelt has proposed Senate Bill 511 which would allow for social wagering contests throughout the state, although any transactions completed at land-based sportsbooks and other gambling establishments would be prohibited according to the bill.
SB 511 would amend the Michigan Penal Code to authorize social wagering contests such as betting pools and sports squares as well as legalize wagering transactions which are “incidental to a bona fide social relationship.”
“With SB 511, its sole purpose is to legalize what we do every day, what everybody does all the time, bets their best friend $5 on a football game,” Klinefelt said as part of a Committee on Regulatory Affairs meeting.
“People do March Madness and Super Bowl squares with their friends, nobody is making any money, nobody is making any profit off of it.”
According to the legislation, “no other money or thing of value” can be included in the contests besides the initial individual wager amounts.
Good to know: The Michigan Gaming Control Board fined Caesars Sportsbook $100,000 on September 19 following a technological error which allowed bettor Jeffrey Saco to deposit $2.1m without transferring funds from his personal bank accounts
SB 511 would also allow for social wagering pools or contests with a maximum of 100 participants and individual wagers of up to $25 if approved by the state. The legislation looks to alter the penalty for violating SB 511’s section of the Michigan Penal Code from a fine of between $1,000 and $5,000.
Fellow lawmakers such as Senators Sue Shink, Jonathan Lindsey and Joseph Bellino have all shown support for SB 511, which has been referred to the Committee on Regulatory Affairs for further consideration.
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